Seeking Answers

[Jeffersonian76]

Hello!

I recently joined and posted my intro. Just a quick summary - I grew up Catholic but stopped going to church when I was a young teenager. My wife (we're in our early 30s and have been together since 6th grade) has been a born again Christian for about ten years. I would love to believe like her but I have a lot of trouble with some things. I tend to view things very similar to Thomas Jefferson, but I want to try to at least believe for my wife's sake and for mine too. I joined to ask some honest questions because I haven't ever really been able to find good answers online. And I can't ask in person.... Full disclosure, I can't just believe out of "faith". I just can't. I've been told to do so or I "must" in the past...that doesn't help me. I was just last year diagnosed with ADHD and was told that I significantly struggle with getting lost in small details and in my head. I analyze everything to the point I seem crazy. I never knew it was an issue, but it takes me twenty minutes to write a simple email...this post has taken....not going to say lol. I get stuck on small little, seemingly to others, pointless details. In other words, I tend to think about things at an extremely granular level and I think because of that, I struggle with (and when I'm told) to just have "faith".

I've often gotten frustrated with myself because my wife tells me when I ask her things "I don't know, I just believe" or "I just have faith". I can't see it that way and it frustrates me. But then I realized, it's not my fault. I want to believe I really do. And I realized that God must've made me this way for a reason. And because of that, I am comforted...so to speak. I want to believe but I struggle and in my head (I know others may disagree) God made me this way and understands me.

Well I hope that made some sense....sorry it was so long. And here it goes...I figured I'd just ask a question every couple of days or week apart. That way I hopefully won't seem like a nuissance.

One thing I really struggle with relates to the age of the earth. This ties into a few others questions I have, but I'll ask those seperately.

I love history, dinosaurs, fossils, rock formations and random various other related things as well. Unrelated to this, from all the research I've done it appears to me (I 100% respect anyone who feels otherwise) that the earth is billions of years old. (Just cause I'm fascinated, not because I'm ever trying too prove anything such as young earth wrong - I actually don't believe in evolution due to my belief that God does exist just like Jefferson believed - everything had to be created in my opinion)

So my question is...what does the bible say about the billions of years from creation until now? I've researched this a lot but can't find any explanation that would help me. When God created everything in Genesis, he also (I know not right away) created man/woman. But what occurred in all those billions of years since creation? From what I've seen the oldest human remains ever found are a little over 3 million years old. Dinosaur fossils are hundreds of millions of years old. How does the bible explain this? Was there just silence from God for billions of years? Then billions of years later the Old Testament was written? Did people exist during those billions of years? If so, where are their remains? Does the bible discuss this?

My wife just doesnt want to discuss it. She just doesnt think about these things like I do. I'd honestly love to believe. I really would. I swear I'm never trying to be difficult or anything. I just get stuck on these kinds of things.

I used to work with a guy who was a devout Baptist. He was one of the nicest and genuine people I've ever known. I approached him because I hoped he could shed some light on this and his answer was young earth. I already discussed this above so I won't here again, but that response did nothing to help me.

Does anyone have any concrete biblical info about this? This is just one of countless questions I have and areas I get stuck on. (Just a reminder, I do believe in God, I just struggle with the Bible. Jefferson was a deist and I currently think just like he did)

I hope this is ok. I am genuinely seeking information here and hope this is an ok question to ask. When I was reading through the guidelines I saw that posts are flagged for heresy. I really hope this is ok because I am seeking knowledge from anyone here who can hopefully help me see things like my wife. I hope that makes sense...

Thanks and God bless you all

 

[Magenta]

Hey hey hey and hello, so lovely to see you sticking around and seeking answers!

Did you watch the Alpha video series I posted for you (well, I posted 3/10 of the vids) last Thursday?

 

[TabinRivCA]

Good question about the age of the earth, and some top prominent Christian speakers don't agree on it. My thought is that there are two accounts of creation in Genesis 1 and 2, not contradictory but perhaps a kinda starting fresh version. I remember hearing about the dinosaurs, fossils and their extinction and how old they must have been, so it might be that God simply started over. This of course is conjecture but it does make sense. Popular Creation people that say the earth is 6-10,000 yrs old, get laughed at esp by scientists. Since God is not the author of confusion, a second account would make sense, but that's also still 'up in the air', lol.
Good to ask questions, by all means, and this is a fascinating topic for discussion!

 

[GRACE_ambassador]

One thing I really struggle with relates to the age of the earth.

Precious friend, the simplest way to view this is:

God Created man (not a child) with "the appearance of age ( 30 years old? )".

Thus, why could he not also "do the same thing" with ( appearance of 30,000,000 years of )
the earth?

Just some food for thought... and:

Precious friend, A Very Warm Welcome to 'Chat.'

Grace, Peace, Mercy, And Love

And, Please Be Very Richly Encouraged and Edified, Growing In Grace
With The Lord Jesus Christ and In His Word Of Truth, Rightly
Divided:

Basic Distinctions Between Prophecy and Mystery
+
“Things That Differ”

Amen.

 

[Gideon300]

Hello!

I recently joined and posted my intro. Just a quick summary - I grew up Catholic but stopped going to church when I was a young teenager. My wife (we're in our early 30s and have been together since 6th grade) has been a born again Christian for about ten years. I would love to believe like her but I have a lot of trouble with some things. I tend to view things very similar to Thomas Jefferson, but I want to try to at least believe for my wife's sake and for mine too. I joined to ask some honest questions because I haven't ever really been able to find good answers online. And I can't ask in person.... Full disclosure, I can't just believe out of "faith". I just can't. I've been told to do so or I "must" in the past...that doesn't help me. I was just last year diagnosed with ADHD and was told that I significantly struggle with getting lost in small details and in my head. I analyze everything to the point I seem crazy. I never knew it was an issue, but it takes me twenty minutes to write a simple email...this post has taken....not going to say lol. I get stuck on small little, seemingly to others, pointless details. In other words, I tend to think about things at an extremely granular level and I think because of that, I struggle with (and when I'm told) to just have "faith".

I've often gotten frustrated with myself because my wife tells me when I ask her things "I don't know, I just believe" or "I just have faith". I can't see it that way and it frustrates me. But then I realized, it's not my fault. I want to believe I really do. And I realized that God must've made me this way for a reason. And because of that, I am comforted...so to speak. I want to believe but I struggle and in my head (I know others may disagree) God made me this way and understands me.

Well I hope that made some sense....sorry it was so long. And here it goes...I figured I'd just ask a question every couple of days or week apart. That way I hopefully won't seem like a nuissance.

One thing I really struggle with relates to the age of the earth. This ties into a few others questions I have, but I'll ask those seperately.

I love history, dinosaurs, fossils, rock formations and random various other related things as well. Unrelated to this, from all the research I've done it appears to me (I 100% respect anyone who feels otherwise) that the earth is billions of years old. (Just cause I'm fascinated, not because I'm ever trying too prove anything such as young earth wrong - I actually don't believe in evolution due to my belief that God does exist just like Jefferson believed - everything had to be created in my opinion)

So my question is...what does the bible say about the billions of years from creation until now? I've researched this a lot but can't find any explanation that would help me. When God created everything in Genesis, he also (I know not right away) created man/woman. But what occurred in all those billions of years since creation? From what I've seen the oldest human remains ever found are a little over 3 million years old. Dinosaur fossils are hundreds of millions of years old. How does the bible explain this? Was there just silence from God for billions of years? Then billions of years later the Old Testament was written? Did people exist during those billions of years? If so, where are their remains? Does the bible discuss this?

My wife just doesnt want to discuss it. She just doesnt think about these things like I do. I'd honestly love to believe. I really would. I swear I'm never trying to be difficult or anything. I just get stuck on these kinds of things.

I used to work with a guy who was a devout Baptist. He was one of the nicest and genuine people I've ever known. I approached him because I hoped he could shed some light on this and his answer was young earth. I already discussed this above so I won't here again, but that response did nothing to help me.

Does anyone have any concrete biblical info about this? This is just one of countless questions I have and areas I get stuck on. (Just a reminder, I do believe in God, I just struggle with the Bible. Jefferson was a deist and I currently think just like he did)

I hope this is ok. I am genuinely seeking information here and hope this is an ok question to ask. When I was reading through the guidelines I saw that posts are flagged for heresy. I really hope this is ok because I am seeking knowledge from anyone here who can hopefully help me see things like my wife. I hope that makes sense...

Thanks and God bless you all

I do not believe that the earth is 6,000 years old. Quite a few Christians believe that the earth is much older but that there was a creation prior to what we know of today. I believe that there was a creation that was also destroyed by a world wide flood This was a result of Satan's rebellion against God. His original name was "Lucifer", which means Light Bearer" He was cast down to earth and so the earth lost its light. This is explains why God created the physical light, the sun.

However, the earth cannot be billions of years old. Erosion takes place even now. Everything that could be washed away would be in the ocean by now. We have crumbling cliffs not far from where we live. A house slid down a hill because of erosion a few months ago. It's still there. It's not safe to demolish it, so I believe.

It's a big subject. I suggest that you look up Larry Ollinson. He has some excellent you tube presentations. You could also find a copy of "The Mystery of Creation" by Watchman Nee. You could also download a book by Dr Walt Brown, for free. It's called "In the Beginning" He's a young earth believer, but he has great insight into the world wide flood and many other questions sceptics raise.

There are no definitive answers. No one was there "in the beginning" but God. We do have a great deal of historical evidence that suggests certain conclusions.

All this will do is answer a few questions. It won't save you. What most deists struggle with is the resurrection of Christ from the dead. This is a miracle that transcends everything else. If you believe the resurrection, then ask yourself why God would hand over His Son to the cruelest kind of death. If you do not, I suggest that you contact Dr James Tour, a scientist at Rice University who is also a believer. He was raised a secular Jew. Dr Tour has a standing offer to show why he believes in the physical resurrection of Jesus. He will arrange a Zoom call. I get a report every week from him. Hardly a week goes by without him leading someone to Christ. He will not get into the depths of all your questions. You will find that many questions will seem irrelevant after you receive Christ. And there are answers if you really want to know.

 

[Seeker47]

I appreciate that you don't want answers that tell you to accept everything "On Faith". I get it. Eventually all things come down to faith, but this does not mean you must accept everything without reason.

Questions of age come down to a definition of time. Yet we know "scientifically" that what we call time is not an absolute, it is relative. Time is dependent on other more fundamental elements in creation, it can and does constantly change. We know for example gravity and velocity can both alter time. There very well may be other things that alter time. Quantum Physics suggests that two particles placed as far apart as possible in the universe, billions of light years apart, can have simultaneous interactions with each other with no "Time" involved. Other scientists are proposing an asymmetrical universe. They believe the "Big Bang" did not create a uniformly expanding universe. Some parts of the universe may be expanding faster than other parts so time may be faster or slower depending on where in the universe you are at the moment.

To argue "time" in the sense of creation is pointless and futile. We do know God is not limited by time, other than that it remains a mystery. I choose to embrace the mystery and move on.

 

[Lynx]

I appreciate that you don't want answers that tell you to accept everything "On Faith". I get it. Eventually all things come down to faith, but this does not mean you must accept everything without reason.

Questions of age come down to a definition of time. Yet we know "scientifically" that what we call time is not an absolute, it is relative. Time is dependent on other more fundamental elements in creation, it can and does constantly change. We know for example gravity and velocity can both alter time. There very well may be other things that alter time. Quantum Physics suggests that two particles placed as far apart as possible in the universe, billions of light years apart, can have simultaneous interactions with each other with no "Time" involved. Other scientists are proposing an asymmetrical universe. They believe the "Big Bang" did not create a uniformly expanding universe. Some parts of the universe may be expanding faster than other parts so time may be faster or slower depending on where in the universe you are at the moment.

To argue "time" in the sense of creation is pointless and futile. We do know God is not limited by time, other than that it remains a mystery. I choose to embrace the mystery and move on.

This is one of those times when I don't know why in the world I didn't think of that myself. I know all those things about how relative time is.

But that is a cogent point. Instead of not being able to ascertain the answer, it may be that there is no real answer TO find.

Or maybe there's a simple, perfectly logical explanation but we do not yet have the understanding of the universe to comprehend it. Kind of like the Israelites and dietary laws. If God had explained about bacteria and proper cooking temperatures they would not have understood because they did not have microscopes or thermometers, so God just said don't eat these things. Maybe if God gave us the answer to the age of the universe, we would only argue more.

 

[DeanM]

[QUOTE="TabinRivCA My thought is that there are two accounts of creation in Genesis 1 and 2, not contradictory but perhaps a kinda starting fresh.

I agree. The gap theory always made sense to me. I havnt kept up with this theory for a long time but it explains the fossil record for example. The fall of satan might be a cause. Having said that im not convinced carbon dating is reliable either.

 

[Magenta]

I'm not convinced carbon dating is reliable either.

It's not.

 

[Cameron143]

I only date carbon based life forms.

 

[Lynx]

I appreciate that you don't want answers that tell you to accept everything "On Faith". I get it. Eventually all things come down to faith, but this does not mean you must accept everything without reason.

Questions of age come down to a definition of time. Yet we know "scientifically" that what we call time is not an absolute, it is relative. Time is dependent on other more fundamental elements in creation, it can and does constantly change. We know for example gravity and velocity can both alter time. There very well may be other things that alter time. Quantum Physics suggests that two particles placed as far apart as possible in the universe, billions of light years apart, can have simultaneous interactions with each other with no "Time" involved. Other scientists are proposing an asymmetrical universe. They believe the "Big Bang" did not create a uniformly expanding universe. Some parts of the universe may be expanding faster than other parts so time may be faster or slower depending on where in the universe you are at the moment.

To argue "time" in the sense of creation is pointless and futile. We do know God is not limited by time, other than that it remains a mystery. I choose to embrace the mystery and move on.

There once was a man named Dwight
Whose speed was much faster than light
He went out one day
In a relative way
And returned on the previous night

 

[Karlon]

Hello!

I recently joined and posted my intro. Just a quick summary - I grew up Catholic but stopped going to church when I was a young teenager. My wife (we're in our early 30s and have been together since 6th grade) has been a born again Christian for about ten years. I would love to believe like her but I have a lot of trouble with some things. I tend to view things very similar to Thomas Jefferson, but I want to try to at least believe for my wife's sake and for mine too. I joined to ask some honest questions because I haven't ever really been able to find good answers online. And I can't ask in person.... Full disclosure, I can't just believe out of "faith". I just can't. I've been told to do so or I "must" in the past...that doesn't help me. I was just last year diagnosed with ADHD and was told that I significantly struggle with getting lost in small details and in my head. I analyze everything to the point I seem crazy. I never knew it was an issue, but it takes me twenty minutes to write a simple email...this post has taken....not going to say lol. I get stuck on small little, seemingly to others, pointless details. In other words, I tend to think about things at an extremely granular level and I think because of that, I struggle with (and when I'm told) to just have "faith".

I've often gotten frustrated with myself because my wife tells me when I ask her things "I don't know, I just believe" or "I just have faith". I can't see it that way and it frustrates me. But then I realized, it's not my fault. I want to believe I really do. And I realized that God must've made me this way for a reason. And because of that, I am comforted...so to speak. I want to believe but I struggle and in my head (I know others may disagree) God made me this way and understands me.

Well I hope that made some sense....sorry it was so long. And here it goes...I figured I'd just ask a question every couple of days or week apart. That way I hopefully won't seem like a nuissance.

One thing I really struggle with relates to the age of the earth. This ties into a few others questions I have, but I'll ask those seperately.

I love history, dinosaurs, fossils, rock formations and random various other related things as well. Unrelated to this, from all the research I've done it appears to me (I 100% respect anyone who feels otherwise) that the earth is billions of years old. (Just cause I'm fascinated, not because I'm ever trying too prove anything such as young earth wrong - I actually don't believe in evolution due to my belief that God does exist just like Jefferson believed - everything had to be created in my opinion)

So my question is...what does the bible say about the billions of years from creation until now? I've researched this a lot but can't find any explanation that would help me. When God created everything in Genesis, he also (I know not right away) created man/woman. But what occurred in all those billions of years since creation? From what I've seen the oldest human remains ever found are a little over 3 million years old. Dinosaur fossils are hundreds of millions of years old. How does the bible explain this? Was there just silence from God for billions of years? Then billions of years later the Old Testament was written? Did people exist during those billions of years? If so, where are their remains? Does the bible discuss this?

My wife just doesnt want to discuss it. She just doesnt think about these things like I do. I'd honestly love to believe. I really would. I swear I'm never trying to be difficult or anything. I just get stuck on these kinds of things.

I used to work with a guy who was a devout Baptist. He was one of the nicest and genuine people I've ever known. I approached him because I hoped he could shed some light on this and his answer was young earth. I already discussed this above so I won't here again, but that response did nothing to help me.

Does anyone have any concrete biblical info about this? This is just one of countless questions I have and areas I get stuck on. (Just a reminder, I do believe in God, I just struggle with the Bible. Jefferson was a deist and I currently think just like he did)

I hope this is ok. I am genuinely seeking information here and hope this is an ok question to ask. When I was reading through the guidelines I saw that posts are flagged for heresy. I really hope this is ok because I am seeking knowledge from anyone here who can hopefully help me see things like my wife. I hope that makes sense...

Thanks and God bless you all

i'm guessing you are taking medicine & or seeing a doctor for your condition. the Lord says. "blessed are those who believe & have not seen". 2nd Corinthians teaches: "while we look not at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal but the things which are not seen are eternal". on earth, over 99% of everything we believe is because we see it. most people believe there are trillions of stars above us but no one will ever see them all. study 1st Timothy 2:7 & 2:15 + John 14:28 & 16:13. the devil is working against you. he sees a weakness & he's pouncing on it. do you know that the devil has no power against the believer unless the believer let's him? ( James 4: 6&7 ). that's true. seek the help of a trusted Christian pastor or perhaps there are learning cd's to assist you. the earth is around 6 to 7,000 years old. the Rose books of Bible Charts, Maps & Timelines & Chronicle Guide To The Bible + Ken Hovind & Ken Hamm will set you strait. be ready to put a lot of hours into this as it is well worth it. there is historical proof of the earth's age. carbon dating is not accurate as the flood disavows that. both Ken guys are experts on the age of the earth. you are correct in not believing in evolution. in recent decades, evolutionary scientists are turning away from their studies because they can"t
find any proof. there's a funny saying about evolution: "evolution says nothing plus time plus chance equals everything"! if evolution did exist how was confidence, concentration, laughter, love, tranquility, sadness, sarcasm, & emotions created? right? billions of years have not passed since creation. i think it's Ken Hovind who explains the age & event comparisons really well. more than you wonder about this, even more, be willing to put the study time into this.

 

[Jeffersonian76]

Hey hey hey and hello, so lovely to see you sticking around and seeking answers!

Did you watch the Alpha video series I posted for you (well, I posted 3/10 of the vids) last Thursday?

I did check them out, very great material. Thanks for sharing - I love how some of the people featured from science (even others) backgrounds found their way. That's incredible and does show that it's possible no matter where you are in life. I'll check out the others if I can find them. Thanks again!

 

[Jeffersonian76]

Good question about the age of the earth, and some top prominent Christian speakers don't agree on it. My thought is that there are two accounts of creation in Genesis 1 and 2, not contradictory but perhaps a kinda starting fresh version. I remember hearing about the dinosaurs, fossils and their extinction and how old they must have been, so it might be that God simply started over. This of course is conjecture but it does make sense. Popular Creation people that say the earth is 6-10,000 yrs old, get laughed at esp by scientists. Since God is not the author of confusion, a second account would make sense, but that's also still 'up in the air', lol.
Good to ask questions, by all means, and this is a fascinating topic for discussion!

Thanks so much, I can deffinitely see what your are saying. That's really interesting, I'll look more into that.

 

[Magenta]

I did check them out, very great material. Thanks for sharing - I love how some of the people featured from science (even others) backgrounds found theor way. That's incredible and does show that it's possible no matter where you are. I'll check out the others if I can find them. Thanks again!

Oh I was dead set against becoming a Christian especially, but also anti organized religion heh, yep, they were all wrong as far as I was concerned and I thought that way for over thirty years heehee (very stubborn!). It is great that you are seeking and see value in it due to your wife... and I cannot say there is any magic formula, of course we discuss these things ad nauseum here, and it is true God must draw you, and it could be for a certain fact that that is actually what is happening with you right now... and those given to Jesus by the Father WILL come to Him and He will cast none out. So I do hope you end up with us on the other side of eternity, and I will just end by saying that my faith journey was really the biggest adventure of my life, and I do not regret one second of it. I will also add that I hope you are praying...

 

[Jeffersonian76]

I do not believe that the earth is 6,000 years old. Quite a few Christians believe that the earth is much older but that there was a creation prior to what we know of today. I believe that there was a creation that was also destroyed by a world wide flood This was a result of Satan's rebellion against God. His original name was "Lucifer", which means Light Bearer" He was cast down to earth and so the earth lost its light. This is explains why God created the physical light, the sun.

However, the earth cannot be billions of years old. Erosion takes place even now. Everything that could be washed away would be in the ocean by now. We have crumbling cliffs not far from where we live. A house slid down a hill because of erosion a few months ago. It's still there. It's not safe to demolish it, so I believe.

It's a big subject. I suggest that you look up Larry Ollinson. He has some excellent you tube presentations. You could also find a copy of "The Mystery of Creation" by Watchman Nee. You could also download a book by Dr Walt Brown, for free. It's called "In the Beginning" He's a young earth believer, but he has great insight into the world wide flood and many other questions sceptics raise.

There are no definitive answers. No one was there "in the beginning" but God. We do have a great deal of historical evidence that suggests certain conclusions.

All this will do is answer a few questions. It won't save you. What most deists struggle with is the resurrection of Christ from the dead. This is a miracle that transcends everything else. If you believe the resurrection, then ask yourself why God would hand over His Son to the cruelest kind of death. If you do not, I suggest that you contact Dr James Tour, a scientist at Rice University who is also a believer. He was raised a secular Jew. Dr Tour has a standing offer to show why he believes in the physical resurrection of Jesus. He will arrange a Zoom call. I get a report every week from him. Hardly a week goes by without him leading someone to Christ. He will not get into the depths of all your questions. You will find that many questions will seem irrelevant after you receive Christ. And there are answers if you really want to know.

Thank you! I'll check out those names you mentioned.

 

[Jeffersonian76]

I appreciate that you don't want answers that tell you to accept everything "On Faith". I get it. Eventually all things come down to faith, but this does not mean you must accept everything without reason.

Questions of age come down to a definition of time. Yet we know "scientifically" that what we call time is not an absolute, it is relative. Time is dependent on other more fundamental elements in creation, it can and does constantly change. We know for example gravity and velocity can both alter time. There very well may be other things that alter time. Quantum Physics suggests that two particles placed as far apart as possible in the universe, billions of light years apart, can have simultaneous interactions with each other with no "Time" involved. Other scientists are proposing an asymmetrical universe. They believe the "Big Bang" did not create a uniformly expanding universe. Some parts of the universe may be expanding faster than other parts so time may be faster or slower depending on where in the universe you are at the moment.

To argue "time" in the sense of creation is pointless and futile. We do know God is not limited by time, other than that it remains a mystery. I choose to embrace the mystery and move on.

 

[Jeffersonian76]

This is one of those times when I don't know why in the world I didn't think of that myself. I know all those things about how relative time is.

But that is a cogent point. Instead of not being able to ascertain the answer, it may be that there is no real answer TO find.

Or maybe there's a simple, perfectly logical explanation but we do not yet have the understanding of the universe to comprehend it. Kind of like the Israelites and dietary laws. If God had explained about bacteria and proper cooking temperatures they would not have understood because they did not have microscopes or thermometers, so God just said don't eat these things. Maybe if God gave us the answer to the age of the universe, we would only argue more.

Thanks, I really appreciate your response.

So that's where I get stuck...I completely understand that some things may not have answers, but no matter how hard I "try" I can't get over that. How did/do you do that?

Like, I know this sounds silly, but one other thing kind of related to this is I'm afraid that since I can't find concrete answers to my questions, I am (I promise I'm only talking about myself personally here) blindfully claiming something when I'm afraid for me, it may not be the "correct" something. That scares me...

Not sure if I explained that properly but hopefully it makes sense. Thanks again

 

[Jeffersonian76]

It's not.

So this is a perfect example of where I struggle (not just with this but everything all the time). I know I said billions of years old in my original message, but I agree any model isn't 100% accurate. Since that's true, I have trouble believing those methods as well as other things....ahh I can't even type well. Been a long day lol...

Essentially, if I can't "see" or confirm with certainty, I feel "wrong" or like I'm lying if I trust in that thing...sorry this is a mess..

 

[Magenta]

So this is a perfect example of where I struggle (not just with this but everything all the time). I know I said billions of years old in my original message, but I agree any model isn't 100% accurate. Since that's true, I have trouble believing those methods as well as other things....ahh I can't even type well. Been a long day lol...

Essentially, if I can't "see" or confirm with certainty, I feel "wrong" or like I'm lying if I trust in that thing...sorry this is a mess..

Well, there is absolute truth (Truth is a person, actually, His name is Jesus!) but I would not be able to credit any human being with it LOL.

Unless it was the guy who said, "I think, therefore I am."

PS just look for Alpha Course online on youtube, all the videos should be there...